Due to close proximity to residents, the City of Fargo Landfill faced the daunting challenge of reducing odors created from landfill operations. To help solve this problem, the city installed a landfill gas (LFG) collection and flare system. Cargill, Inc., the landfill's neighbor that processes oilseed, recognized the energy potential and approached the city about using LFG in their boilers. The partners collaborated to develop a direct-use LFG energy project, showing the success that can come from public-private collaboration.

The project's highlights include:

The LFG energy project generated revenue for the City of Fargo and reduced Cargill's energy costs, emissions, and dependence on natural gas.

Over the next 20 years Cargill will completely replace natural gas with LFG.

The project was a successful, cooperative effort between the City of Fargo and Cargill. The city financed the installation of the LFG collection system and the two split the cost of the 1.5-mile pipeline. Cargill financed installation of dual-fuel burners and the new control system. The city will recover its capital expense through the sale of LFG. Cargill will recover its capital expense in fuel savings from using LFG instead of natural gas.

Not only does the pipeline help reduce landfill odor emissions, but it also generates revenue for the city from a waste product. This is an example of industry and government partnering to address a major problem with an innovative solution. —Bruce Grubb, Director of the City of Fargo's Enterprise Department